General Discussion

So, I return from my 4-ship to the range today and read on my email that the AETC/CC has authorized the GWOT-S medal for *everyone in AETC* regardless if they have or have not directly participated in the Global War On Terror. WTF??? That is a slap in the face to those of us who have spent hours and hours flying CAPs for Operation NOBLE EAGLE. As if it wasn't bad enough that the GWOT-S was the only recognition ONE flyers are going to get...now it's pretty much just being given to *everyone*.

How cool is it that the very first jet there was also the same jet to fly the fini-flight? For once the AF gets it right!

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/visions-of-the-future/ I thought of Squadron Posters the second I saw NASA's poster art. I thought maybe Squadron Posters did some of the design... Maybe the style is just one of those viral/in vogue design things that I don't keep up with. Like Squadron Posters, I think they look cool.

Previous thread was from 2007 and lumped in with the HC, I'll try and keep this first post up to date. Command: AFSOC Crew: Pilot, CP, CSO, LMs Mission: Commando II flies clandestine, or low visibility, single or multiship, low-level air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft, and infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces (SOF) by airdrop or airland intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories. The MC-130J primarily flies missions at night to reduce probability of visual acquisition and intercept by airborne threats. Its secondary mission includes the airdrop of leaflets. Sele…

Still developing but looks like some Iranian agents were working up a plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the US on American soil. https://news.blogs.cn...iran/?hpt=hp_t2

what's up guys, sorry for the surplus amount of questions. to keep it short, i'm trying to decide if I should pursue a BS in psychology or a BA in psychology. I am planning on applying for the guard and I know GPA weighs heavier than major, but there are a few factors that are in play. I am confident if I pursued a BA that I could graduate with a decently higher GPA than a BS as a result of less math, physics and science classes. However, a BS instead of a BA would challenge me more, improving studying skills and work ethic. ultimately my question is, would it be worth it in the long run if I pursued a BS, improving my studying skills and possibly preparing mys…

Keep others in mind during Thanksgiving By General Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) – Sacrifice has always been a hallmark of our great nation. Around the globe thousands of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are standing watch to ensure our freedom and way of life are preserved. Take time during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday to remember all those who serve in our armed forces. Our military embodies the American values of compassion, tolerance and courage. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our mission -- we couldn’t do it without your help. You provide t…

All, What's the largest aircraft in an air-to-air kill. I'm pretty sure it's the B-52D (2 kills in Vietnam during Operation Linebacker II), however I can't find a reference for whether it is the largest aircraft with an A-A kill. Any help would be appreciated.

Well wouldn’t you know it I had solid flight only to screw up my ground EP. Sure sucks blowing an 88 ride on just an EP. Anyways all is back to normal but I was just curious if midphase is really about a 50% bust rate at UPT? The student rumor is that they look to bust folks on the midphase more so then on the last three checks. Is there any partial truth to this? Its tuff separating student rumors/interpretation from the honest truth. By the way if anyone has good suggestions on how to setup EP’s please pass it along. Iv tried using the little cheat sheets but they are not always helpful. Since we are so understaffed we don’t get many stand-ups during the week. …

I'm down at training and I heard a rumor that they were going to stand up a gunship unit over in Mildenhall soon/sometime in the near future. Anyone know of any truth to this with any sources? Sorry ahead of time if this has already been covered... I promise I tried searching before I posted.

Don’t know how many on this forum knew Reagan Whitlow, but he died in a private plane crash tonight, the C-130 community lost a fantastic pilot and better person. Here’s a toast... https://www.kark.com/news/local-news/update-pilot-killed-in-plane-crash-was-retired-lt-colonel-in-air-force/1478582383

Does anyone know if you can access GDSS from a non-.mil computer? I had heard that you can but I can't seem to find it anywhere. Thanks.

Howdy folks, just graduated school and I'm on my way to Laughlin to wait (APT) for an IFT/UPT class date. I'd sincerely appreciate any and all wisdom y'all have on PCSing, inprocessing at a new base - especially Laughlin/UPT, the IFT/UPT pipeline itself, etc. Thanks a bunch! - Ike

I remember hearing that if you get stationed at Mildenhall or Lakenheath you have to put your pets in quarantine for X number of days/weeks. Is this still in effect? What's the story on this? I'm hoping to get stationed at Mildenhall, so I'm curious as to how this works (I've got 2 dogs). [ 09. April 2004, 18:39: Message edited by: backseatdriver ]

Air Force’s ‘All-Seeing Eye’ Flops Vision Test It’s the one of the most revolutionary — and one of the most chilling — weapons to come out of America’s decade of conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Gorgon Stare, a new “all-seeing” camera system for aerial drones, is supposed to boost U.S. surveillance by an order of magnitude, by installing a hive of nine or more cameras under the wing of an Air Force Reaper drone. Gorgon Stare-equipped Reapers are meant to watch over a “city-size” area, while also simultaneously sending video feeds to dozens of “customers” on the ground. There’s just one problem. Gorgon Stare doesn’t work as promised, at least according to the A…

Initial reporting says 10 shot (8 civilians and 2 police) and 3 shooters. Does not say any are fatal. https://www.washingto...b549_story.html

Looks like Redux 2.0 to me... From the article: "A cost-saving option might be to offer active-duty troops full retirement benefits only after 30 years’ service with mandatory retirement at 40 years." Right and if the same high year tenure rules apply. A lot less officers and NCOs will be making it to full retirement... Here is how I think this will go... the DOD insitute the change and it will remain in effect for about 8-10 years - then whole "classes"or year groups of officers and NCOs will depart taking their valuable experience wit...h them. As a result, these classes will become so small that once again, the 20 yewar retirement will be reinstated, c…

Pretty straight forward question: I'm prior Active, now currently CA Nat'l guard AMMO troop for the past couple of years. I was wondering what are the chances of being deployed in the Nat'l Guard if shit went down, like a war with N. Korea or some kind of conflict? And let's say if my unit doesn't get deployed during a time of conflict, can I volunteer to go active? Thanks!

With this major shortage of pilots that the AF is currently dealing with, is there any hope of a FWQ course or equivalent ever returning? How about a transfer from Army C-12's? I know this topic has been covered before but info changes over time.

I was heading to Moab Utah in my lifted jeep when I got pulled over by a Utah trooper coming the other direction. He told me I was doing 82. I laughed outloud because me jeep would fall apart if I was going that speed. He didn't believe me but gave me a ticket for doing 74 in a 65. That is still BS cause I never speed in my jeep as it kills my gas mileage. I was more likely doing 62 than 82. I am still waiting for an OTS date after being selected for a pilot slot on 0505. I had two speeding tickets at that time when I was selected, those I deserved. This one I didn't. I didn't stay in Moab to protest to the judge as I need to be at work on monday. Any advise, will…

Happened today - looks like the wind got it, no further details.

https://www.stripes.com/news/juicy-bars-air-force-puts-squeeze-on-businesses-linked-to-human-trafficking-1.238446

Did a search and didn't find a relevant thread...I applied for a humanitarian assignment about 2.5 weeks ago to be near my father who has cancer. It's currently at the submitted to BPO step. Does anyone have any knowledge on these things and how fast they move? I spoke to my assignment team and there's an open slot at the base I want and they said that they don't anticipate filling it until the fall cycle; does this availability of a slot tilt things in my favor?

Need a sanity check... I flew active duty for 11+ years and accumulated 126 gate months. PHA is still current. Last fall I joined the ANG in a non-flying Wing Staff position. I don't intend on flying for the foreseeable future. HARM is refusing to turn flight pay back on claiming that since I'm in an API 6 billet on the UMD, I can't get flight pay unless I "I am in the process of acquiring an ACIQ slot." I disagree and think flight pay eligibility depends solely on gate months when in a non-flying billet... Who's right?

Elders, Our class's drop sheet came out this past Friday and today we were snooping around AF Portal and came across AMS. We found that when we put in 2LT and C-17 with "All" as the base selected, the bases that showed up exactly correlated to what was on our drop sheet except there was a number next to how many slots were available. The same held true for other planes we typed from our drop sheet. Was this coincidental, or did we stumble upon a way to find out how many of each plane/base we dropped?